Appeal No. 96-2339
Application 08/299,391
THE INVENTION
Appellants claim a method for continuously preparing
methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) by reacting tertiary butyl
ether and methanol, and for continuously purifying the MTBE
product. At one point in the purification method, an
isobutylene stream is fed to an extraction tower at a height
of about 1 to 3 theoretical plates below the point of
introduction of the MTBE-containing feed to the tower, to
facilitate the removal of MTBE from the extract
(specification, page 6, line 22 - page 7, line 11). Claim 17
is illustrative and is appended to this decision.
THE REFERENCE
Kruse et al. (Kruse) 5,243,091 Sep. 7, 1993
THE REJECTION
Claims 11-17 stand rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as
being unpatentable over Kruse.
OPINION
We have carefully considered all of the arguments
advanced by appellants and the examiner and agree with
appellants that the aforementioned rejection is not well
2
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007